And the reigning Heineken Cup champions are also missing departed duo Rocky Elsom and Felipe Contepomi who moved onto pastures new this summer.

But despite the raft of changes, Australian No8 Lyons insists the Welsh region's hopes of getting off to a flyer in the Magners League won't be made any easier.

New Scarlets vice-captain Lyons, 29, said: "Leinster have one of the biggest squads in Europe and they will still be strong.

"We're a bit disappointed with the way we played against them in Dublin last year, so we would like to get our season off to a big start.

"We're comfortable here at the Parc, it is our home now and we want to make it a place where sides don't want to come and play.

"Last year we had a few great performances against good sides, but then a couple of weeks later we could just as easily back it up with a poor performance.

"It is a massive game for us first up."

The Scarlets has endured a close season of major upheaval off the field with at least a dozen players packed off through the exit door as well as forwards coach Paul Moriarty and chief executive Stuart Gallacher.

And Lyons admits it is up to the senior players in Nigel Davies' new-look squad to lead by example.

Lyons said: "We've a lot of experience in the squad. We've two British Lions and a number of internationals.

"So I have stressed to the lads that it's up to the senior players to lead by example in terms of consistency.

"Our job is to lead, and hopefully the younger boys can follow and continue where they left off at the end of last season."

Lions stars Stephen Jones and Matthew Rees are rested but new signings Sean Lamont, Richie Pugh and Rhys Thomas makes their competitive debut for the west Wales region.

WRU International Skills Coach Jason Strange is a busy man, combining the new role with that of Wales Under 20 attack coach, Ebbw Vale head coach and continuing to teach at Ebbw Fawr Learning Community.

Warren Gatland and Sam Warburton look ahead to this week's crunch RBS 6 Nations tie against France, where the Wales skipper in particular is keen to make his mark, as Paris has proved a bleak place for him in the past.

Following their historic win over England, Wales Under 20 suffered a narrow, 36-34 loss to their Scottish counterparts last weekend, despite outscoring them by five tries to three. Watch the match highlights and reaction.

WRU TV go behind the scenes with the Wales squad as they put the final touches in place ahead of the clash against Scotland at Murrayfield. Follow the squad on their captain's run, the kickers visit to Murrayfield and Neil Jenkins' press conference